In Declining 2012 Race, Trump Takes Credit for Raising Issues

As we've learned, Donald Trump is not shy about taking credit for things. When confronted with the news that President Obama had released a copy of his long-form birth certificate, credit-taking was Trump's immediate reaction: "Today I'm very proud of myself, because I've accomplished something that no one else has been able to accomplish," The Donald said, minutes before his first high-profile press conference in an early primary state was interrupted by Obama's own press conference putting the birther issue to rest.

Today was no different. As Trump announced he will not seek the White House in 2012, he took credit for steering the national political discussion through his almost-candidacy.

Issues, including getting tough on China and other countries that are methodically and systematically taking advantage of the United States, were seldom mentioned before I brought them to the forefront of the country's conversation. They are now being debated vigorously. I will also continue to push for job creation, an initiative that should be this country's top priority and something that I know a lot about. I will not shy away from expressing the opinions that so many of you share yet don't have a medium through which to articulate.

Whether Trump actually pushed Chinese currency manipulation any further to the forefront of discussion is, of course, a matter of debate, but there's no question that birtherism saw a spike in news-interest while Trump was thinking aloud about White House aims.